Saudi Arabia’s premier Overwatch 2 tournament returns

Saudi Arabia’s premier Overwatch 2 tournament returns
The ESL Saudi Challenge is the Kingdom's leading competitive gaming event. (SUPPLIED)
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Updated 16 October 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s premier Overwatch 2 tournament returns

Saudi Arabia’s premier Overwatch 2 tournament returns
  • ESL Saudi Challenge, the Kingdom’s leading competitive gaming event, will culminate in an Offline Final at VOV Gaming

RIYADH: Registration has opened for the ESL Saudi Challenge, the premier Overwatch 2 tournament in the Kingdom.

Teams will battle for a share of the $20,000 prize pool and a critical step toward securing a spot on an international stage. The season will culminate in a live showdown in December.

The ESL Saudi Challenge is a landmark event for Saudi Arabian esports, featuring high-stakes Overwatch 2 competition and offering local players an opportunity to shine globally. The tournament will again be hosted on the FACEIT platform, with the playoffs live streamed and the finals taking place live from VOV Gaming.

For Saudi gamers, it is a key chance to improve their skills, represent the Kingdom in international competition — including the Overwatch 2 FACEIT League Season 2 EMEA Expert — and further solidify Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the world of esports.

For Season 2, the level of competition intensifies. The top three teams from Season 1: Twisted Minds, Al Qadsiah, and Team Vision have been directly invited to the playoff stage to test their might against the best of the qualifiers.

Qualifier 1 takes place on Oct. 17-18, with Qualifier 2 on Oct. 24-25. The playoffs then take place on Nov. 5, 6, 11 and 12.

The playoffs will be live streamed on official channels, as will the final, which is in Riyadh on Dec. 5.

 


Yamal set for Spain return in World Cup qualifiers

Yamal set for Spain return in World Cup qualifiers
Updated 3 sec ago
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Yamal set for Spain return in World Cup qualifiers

Yamal set for Spain return in World Cup qualifiers
A groin problem kept Yamal sidelined for Spain’s games against Georgia and Bulgaria
Spain are top of Group E with automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in their grasp

MADRID: Lamine Yamal returned to the Spain squad named Friday after injury forced Barcelona’s young star to miss last month’s World Cup qualifiers.
A groin problem kept Yamal sidelined for Spain’s games against Georgia and Bulgaria.
But after recovering from a groin injury and returning to club duty, Yamal is back in the reckoning to face Georgia on November 15 in Tbilisi followed by Turkiye in Seville three days later.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz is also fit again after recovering from a leg injury suffered in the 2-1 Champions League defeat of Barcelona at the start of October.
Spain, the European champions, are top of Group E, with automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in their grasp.
While Yamal returns to national duty, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will be missing his Barca teammate Pedri.
Also out of contention with injury are Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, and Atletico Madrid defender Robin Le Normand.